Since 1st October 2017, the duration of maternity leave and benefit has been extended in cases where a baby is born prematurely. The extended period of maternity leave and benefit will be the equivalent to the duration between the actual premature birth  of the child and the date the maternity leave was expected to commence (usually 2 weeks before the expected date of birth). This extended period of maternity leave will commence following the 26 weeks of maternity leave.

For example, if a baby is born in the 30th week of pregnancy, the mother would have an additional entitlement to approximately 7 weeks of maternity leave and benefit (i.e. from the date of birth in the 30th week to the scheduled maternity leave commencement date.